The Shadow Wife's Secret Billionaire Baby
Chapter 8
Three days later, the black town car arrived at the studio.
The driver, a man Serena knew well, looked apologetic. "Mr. Sterling sent me for Leo."
Serena stood in the doorway, carefully hiding her swollen eyes. She wanted to say no. She wanted to lock the door. But she had no legal standing. Not yet.
She knelt down and zipped up Leo's coat. "Be good, okay? Take your inhaler if you feel tight."
Leo pouted. "I don't want to go."
"Just for dinner," Serena lied.
She watched the car drive away, her heart sinking.
The scene shifted to Victoria's penthouse on the Upper East Side. It was a kaleidoscope of pinks and golds, a sharp contrast to Julian's monochrome aesthetic.
Victoria opened the door. She was wearing a soft cashmere sweater and leggings, looking the picture of domestic bliss. Her ankle was wrapped in a bandage, propped up on a cushion when she sat down.
The living room was a toy store explosion.
There was a mountain of gifts. A limited edition PlayStation. A Lego castle that was taller than Leo. And in a basket, a Corgi puppy with a red bow around its neck.
Leo stopped in his tracks. His mouth fell open.
Julian stood by the window, watching. "Victoria bought these for you, Leo."
Victoria smiled. "I know we got off on the wrong foot, Leo. I just want you to be happy."
She picked up a VR headset. "Have you ever played with one of these?"
Leo shook his head. "Mommy says screens are bad for my eyes."
Victoria laughed. "Oh, sweetie. Mommy is old-fashioned. Here, you can play as much as you want. And look..."
She held out a giant swirl lollipop.
Leo hesitated. "Mommy says sugar makes my teeth rot."
Victoria winked. "I'm a cool mom. One candy won't hurt."
Leo looked at Julian. Julian nodded. "It's fine, Leo."
Leo took the candy. He took the VR headset. The dopamine hit was instant.
Julian took a photo of Leo laughing with the headset on, the puppy licking his hand. He sent it to Serena.
See? He is adjusting fine. Your rules were too strict.
Serena sat in the dark studio, staring at the photo. Leo looked happy. Happier than he looked with her, eating broccoli and doing homework.
When Leo came back that night, he was wired on sugar. He was holding the VR headset.
"Time for bed, Leo," Serena said, trying to take the headset.
"No!" Leo yanked it back. "Victoria said I can play until 10!"
"It's a school night," Serena said firmly.
Leo stomped his foot. "You are mean! Victoria is nice! She gives me presents!"
Serena felt a crack in her heart. "Leo, I give you love. That's more important."
Leo glared at her. "You are just the nanny! Victoria said so! She said you only take care of me because Dad pays you!"
The silence in the room was deafening.
Serena felt like she had been slapped.
"Is that what you think?" she whispered.
Leo looked defiant, but his lip trembled. "It's true! You aren't my real mom!"
He ran into the bedroom and slammed the door.
Serena stood alone in the studio. The smell of varnish was suddenly overwhelming.
They were buying him. They were rewriting history with toys and sugar, and she couldn't compete. She didn't have millions of dollars. She only had rules and vegetables and bedtime stories.
She touched her stomach.
If this baby is born, will they take it too? Will they turn it against me?
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